World Athletics Ultimate Championships: Werro, Hodgkinson, Broeders-Bol Set Up 800m Blockbuster Final

Audrey Werro, Keely Hodgkinson and Femke Broeders-Bol have set up a mouth-watering 800m final at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships after all three comfortably advanced through Friday’s semifinals in Budapest.

Werro and Broeders-Bol qualified from the second semifinal, finishing first and second in 1:59.05 and 1:59.19 respectively, while Hodgkinson produced the fastest semifinal time, winning the opening race in 1:57.57.

Hodgkinson, competing for the first time since the European Championships, looked particularly comfortable as she controlled the race from the front to secure her place in Saturday’s final.

But Werro comes into the final with the strongest credentials.

The Swiss is the 2026 world leader with 1:53.70, while Hodgkinson is second on the world list at 1:54.33 and Broeders-Bol third at 1:54.71.

Werro also has the psychological edge over Broeders-Bol after beating the Dutchwoman in the Diamond League Final in Brussels, clocking 1:54.75 to Broeders-Bol’s 1:54.81. It was the closest Broeders-Bol had come to defeating Werro, losing by just 0.06 seconds.

Hodgkinson, however, brings her own credentials to the showdown and will be looking to reclaim the upper hand against a Werro who has dominated much of the 2026 season.

The Ultimate final therefore brings together the world No.1, No.2 and No.3 performers of 2026 in what promises to be one of the championship’s biggest track showdowns.

With $150,000 awaiting the winner, the three stars have plenty more than bragging rights to race for.